Bear bites camper near Pagosa Springs

A woman was bitten on the arm by a bear early Friday morning while sleeping in a tent south of Pagosa Springs.

Matt Thorpe, the new area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Recreation, had few details.

“The lady was sleeping alone in a campground on private land that has dispersed tent sites,” Thorpe said. “About 2 a.m., a bear reached into her tent and bit her. She must have pulled her arm away or made a sound, because the bear retreated immediately.”

The woman alerted nearby campers, who called authorities, Thorpe said. The bite victim was treated and released, but he didn’t know where.

Claire Bradshaw, director of marketing and communications at Pagosa Springs Medical Center, said that an adult was treated for puncture wounds and released early Friday.

“I can’t give more information,” Bradshaw said.

Meanwhile, Thorpe said he and three other Colorado Parks and Wildlife employees gathered at the tent site with trained hounds to track the bear.

The group followed the scent for several miles but didn’t find the bear, he said.

Thorpe said camping season is winding down, but he reminded campers not to leave food items within reach of bears when in the wild.